In the 1960s and 70s, the name Karen was one of the most popular baby names for girls. Now, not so much.
With the rise of the Karen meme, the name has gradually become associated with obnoxious and entitled behaviour, usually demonstrated by a white, angry, middle-class woman.
In this episode of The Irish Times Women’s Podcast, Róisín Ingle speaks to two Irish Karens, Karen O’Donoghue and Karen Hand, about how their once loved name evolved into a meme and an insult.
Karen Hand explains that although the meme has brought negative connotations to her name, she believes the overriding message behind it is good.
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“Rather than sitting around and feeling wounded about my name, I’d like to show the world what a good Karen is,” she says.
